This class was completely fair and doable. Professor Yirush provides various readings for the week that includes primary sources as well as textbook readings. Most of the readings were manageable and even interesting. I found this class to be the easiest class I have taken so far at UCLA.
The scheme is as follows:
20% 1st paper
20% 2nd paper
20% participation (10% of this participation grade was from weekly reading responses)
20% midterm
20%Final
The papers were simple enough as long as you paid attention to what your TA wanted. The TA's always provided rubrics for each paper so you knew exactly what they were looking for and how many points it was out of. The first paper was only 10 pts and the second was 20 pts. You're also given study guides for the midterm and final, which provide possible essay questions. Overall, if you put in the effort and complete every assignment, there is no reason you should not get the grade you want since everything is basically granted to you.

I felt compelled to write something about Professor Yirush because I felt like a lot of the harsh criticism he's getting on here is not warranted.

His course layout was excellent - lectures were good for contextualizing the readings, and you get a comprehensive look at American history through a plethora of primary sources. I've never taken a history class before that didn't rely completely on secondary sources, so I appreciated Professor Yirush taking the time to find and assign such good sources. He offers thoughtful responses to questions, is an engaging lecturer who is not monotone at all, and is overall a great teacher.

I'm not saying this because the course was easy. On the contrary, you have to work for the grade. But Professor Yirush's emphasis on excellence in writing can only benefit you in the long run. Go to lecture, do the readings, OUTLINE the readings, prepare extensively for the midterm and final, and you will succeed in this class.